Performance testing apparatus for heat pipes

Abstract

A performance testing apparatus for a heat pipe includes an immovable portion having a heating member located therein for heating a heat pipe requiring test. A movable portion is capable of moving relative to the immovable portion. A receiving structure is defined between the immovable portion and the movable portion for receiving the heat pipe therein. At least one temperature sensor is attached to at least one of the immovable portion and the movable portion. The least one temperature sensor has a detecting section exposed in the receiving structure for thermally contacting the heat pipe in the receiving structure to detect a temperature of the heat pipe.

1. A performance testing apparatus for a heat pipe comprising:
 an immovable portion having a heating member located therein for heating an evaporating section of the heat pipe; 
 a movable portion capable of moving relative to the immovable portion; 
 a receiving structure being defined between the immovable portion and the movable portion for receiving the evaporating section of the heat pipe therein; and 
 at least one temperature sensor being attached to at least one of the immovable portion and the movable portion for thermally contacting the heat pipe in the receiving structure for detecting temperature of the heat pipe; 
 wherein the receiving structure is a channel defined between the immovable portion and the movable portion; 
 wherein the at least one temperature sensor has a detecting section thereof exposed to the channel; 
 wherein at least one of the immovable portion and the movable portion has at least one positioning structure communicating with the channel, the at least one temperature sensor being positioned in the at least one positioning structure; 
 wherein the at least one temperature sensor comprises two wires, each of the two wires comprising first and second sections and the detecting section being located between the first and second sections; 
 wherein the at least one temperature sensor is positioned in a positioning socket movably fitted in a through hole of the positioning structure of at least one of the immovable portion and the movable portion; and 
 wherein the positioning socket defines four through apertures therethrough, and wherein each of the wires of the at least one temperature sensor has the first section thereof fitted in one of the through apertures, the second section fitted in another through aperture, and the detecting section located at a bottom of the socket for contacting with the heat pipe, and wherein an end of the second section extends away from the another through hole for connecting with a monitoring computer. 
 
   
   
     2. The testing apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the channel is cooperatively defined by a heating groove defined in a face of the immovable portion and a positioning groove defined in a face of the movable portion. 
   
   
     3. The testing apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the positioning socket comprises a square column, a circular column and a circular collar between the square and circular columns, and wherein the through hole of the positioning structure has square and circular sections corresponding to the square column and the circular column of the socket, respectively. 
   
   
     4. The testing apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the positioning socket has a spring coil surrounding the circular column of the socket and movably received in the through hole of the positioning portion. 
   
   
     5. The testing apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the at least a temperature sensor is fixed in the through hole of the positioning structure via a board covering the positioning structure, and wherein the ends of the wires of the at least one temperature sensor extend through the board. 
   
   
     6. The testing apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one temperature sensor is secured in the through hole of the positioning structure via a screw engaged in the through hole, the ends of the wires of the at least a temperature sensor extending through the screw. 
   
   
     7. The testing apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the heating member is accommodated in a hole defined in the immovable portion, and extends two wires to connect with a power supplier. 
   
   
     8. A performance testing apparatus for a heat pipe and a supporting device for positioning the testing apparatus, comprising:
 an immovable portion having a heating member located therein for heating the heat pipe; 
 a movable portion being movably mounted on the immovable portion; 
 a receiving structure being defined between the immovable portion and the movable portion for receiving the heat pipe therein; 
 at least one temperature sensor telescopically received in at least one of be immovable and movable portions, and having a detecting section thereof exposed in the receiving structure for thermally contacting the heat pipe in the receiving structure to detect a temperature of the heat pipe; and 
 the supporting device comprises a seat for positioning the testing apparatus at a required position, the seat having a first plate on the seat to have the immovable portion located thereon, a second plate located above the movable portion and supported by a plurality rods extending from the first plate. 
 
   
   
     9. The testing apparatus and supporting device of  claim 8 , wherein the receiving structure comprises a channel cooperatively defined by a heating groove in a face of the immovable portion and a positioning groove in a face of the movable portion confronting the immovable portion. 
   
   
     10. The testing apparatus and supporting device of  claim 8 , wherein a thermally insulating plate is sandwiched between the immovable portion and the first plate. 
   
   
     11. The testing apparatus and supporting device of  claim 8  further comprising a driving device mounted on the second plate, the driving device connecting with the movable portion and capable of driving the movable portion to move away from and towards the immovable portion. 
   
   
     12. A performance testing apparatus for a heat pipe comprising:
 an immovable portion having a heating member located therein for heating an evaporating section of the heat pipe; 
 a movable portion capable of moving relative to the immovable portion; 
 a receiving structure being defined between the immovable portion and the movable portion for receiving the evaporating section of the heat pipe therein; and 
 at least one temperature sensor being attached to at least one of the immovable portion and the movable portion for thermally contacting the heat pipe in the receiving structure for detecting temperature of the heat pipe; 
 wherein the receiving structure is a channel defined between the immovable portion and the movable portion; 
 wherein the at least a temperature sensor has a detecting section thereof exposed to the channel; 
 wherein at least one of the immovable portion and the movable portion has at least one positioning structure communicating with the channel, the at least one temperature sensor being positioned in the at least one positioning structure; 
 wherein the at least a temperature sensor comprises two wires, each of the two wires comprising first and second sections and the detecting section being located between the first and second sections; and 
 wherein the at least one positioning structure of one of the immovable portion and the movable portion defines two pairs of through holes therein, and wherein each of the two wires has the first section thereof extending in one of the through holes, the second section fitted in another through hole, and the detecting section located at a bottom of the positioning structure for contacting with the heat pipe, and wherein an end of the second section extends away from the another through hole for connecting with a monitoring computer.